Japa Meditation

Malas are made up of 108 beads, plus a guru stone (or tassle). This central stone serves as a focus point for the intention of the mala and meditation practice, as well as signifying the beginning and ending of the japa meditation sequence. 108 is considered to be a sacred number as there are said to be 108 upanishads (sacred Hindu texts), as well as 108 sacred places in the body.